CEO Of The Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Hooper confident Games will go ahead in Delhi

The CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, the New Zealander Mike Hooper, remains optimistic that the 2010 games will go ahead as scheduled in Delhi in 2010.

An environmental report on the affects construction of the athletes village will have on the Yamuna River is now before the courts.

Hooper, who is in India, says although the courts are involved, construction actually hasn't been halted.

However he says with 2 years until the games take place in October 2010, any attempt to alter plans now would seriously jepordise the games.... and they have taken the issue up with the Indian government.....

Nearing deadline for Commonwealth Games, government agencies started to get required infrastructure

With nearing of the deadline for Commonwealth Games, government agencies too have started changing gears to get the required infrastructure in place. On one hand the emphasis is being laid on upgrading and re-surfacing main roads of the city, while on the other a lot of efforts are being made to ensure that the internal roads of Gurgaon remain problem free. The developmental agencies have been initiating several projects that are aimed towards having smooth ride in and out of the city.

Giving information about its initiative, Additional Chief Engineer of HUDA Amreek Singh said, "Works are going on in eight different roads of the city. By March 31, 2009, all the repair works will be finished." But, while the repair work is visible in old Gurgaon, new Gurgaon is yet to witness road repair work. When asked, HUDA administrator G Anupama said, "We are giving equal priority to the entire city. The repair time may vary, but there would be no compromise as far as funds are concerned. We will simply change the look of all city roads."

According to HUDA sources a tender of Rs 30 cores has already been invited recently for the repair works of internal colony roads of the various HUDA sectors that includes major intersections, dividing roads and the main roads that carry heavy traffic. The scheduled time period for completion of the work is three months from the dates of award with one year maintenance period from the date of completion. It was also informed that the tenders have also been invited for other roads as well.

While the announcement has come as pleasant news for the city residents, people in the city still have questions regarding completion of the project. Ashok Gupta, a resident of DLF-I couldn't resist from going away from apprehensions, "Although it is good news for the entire city, but I think it is just another cosmetic exercise on the part of HUDA to cover up its other failures."

Echoing a similar concerns, Kiran Kandpal, resident of New Palam Vihar said, "Equal importance should be given roads of the entire city. Besides, people should stay alert of the quality of material being used for the construction and repair purposes. The contractors should be held responsible for the maintenance even after one year period of time, as stated in the tender."

Residents of the the city also demanding that work for the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road should be given priority, for which a tender of Rs 179 lakhs has been opened. "Even the storm water drainage system should be strengthened for successful completion of road repair works," added another resident. Demands also came up from the residents for face lifting of the roads by way of landscaping on their both sides and removal of encroachments.

"I don't think that only repair works will be enough to solve the crumbling road conditions. The root problems leading to sich conditions should also be taken care of before claiming a pat," added Ashok Gupta. Noteworthy here is the chief secretary's (of Haryana government) recent direction to the officers to complete works within the stipulated time frame. Whether the recommendation materialises or not, is for the time to see!